New Kiosk Hours - Closed Sundays

We've designated Sundays "family days" throughout the summer and for that reason, the kiosk will be closed on Sundays as of June 1, through early September. You'll probably be so busy enjoying the gorgeous weather we're going to have that you'll hardly notice. ;)

New Kiosk Hours - Closed Sundays

We've designated Sundays "family days" throughout the summer and for that reason, the kiosk will be closed on Sundays as of June 1, through early September. You'll probably be so busy enjoying the gorgeous weather we're going to have that you'll hardly notice. ;)

Summer Fresh Herbs and Container Gardening

In addition to being a bit of a greenie, I am a huge foodie! There is nothing I like better on a gorgeous summer day, than a warm, fresh, garden tomato, sliced and topped with crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil. While I love gardening with flowers, last year was my first attempt at growing an herb garden, and though my mint ran completely wild (dried mint anyone?!) I am proud to say it was a success. This year I thought I would expand my horizons and try some veggies in addition to my herbs. The catch is that, the way our yard is setup right now, container gardening is pretty much my only option. Also, given the fact that we will be moving at the end of next summer (2009), I don't want to invest too much energy in a garden we will only be leaving behind. So container gardening it is. I'm a hoping for some tomatoes (of course!) and maybe some beans, in addition to some thyme, basil, mint, parsley and maybe oregano. I went to my good friend Dava for some advice, which I will share because it is if you are a beginner like me, you will need a few tips:

• You can buy container tomatoes (ones that were developed specifically to be grown in containers!!!!) Cool huh!
• The thing with containers: keep them watered! They can dry out really fast; you may have to water 2 x a day, or move into shade if really hot and sunny. Tomatoes love sun and heat, but other things like lettuce bolt in heat and too much sun.
• Tomatoes get diseased really easy too, which can spread very fast in containers. Don't water leaves, as it makes for a lovely moist environment to grow the mildew and promote disease, then water droplets spread it. You should water at ground level. When you see the leaves turn yellow, immediately take them off and put them in garbage. Do not compost they or they will re-infect your plants later.
• Lettuce is a good fall crop.
• Bush beans, and pole beans up a trellis work well too.
• Don't be afraid to be creative!

Thank you Dava! Now, if I can get my hands on some extra containers and sort out the rainwater barrels we have been planning to get for this spring, I will be all set.

Summer Fresh Herbs and Container Gardening

In addition to being a bit of a greenie, I am a huge foodie! There is nothing I like better on a gorgeous summer day, than a warm, fresh, garden tomato, sliced and topped with crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil. While I love gardening with flowers, last year was my first attempt at growing an herb garden, and though my mint ran completely wild (dried mint anyone?!) I am proud to say it was a success. This year I thought I would expand my horizons and try some veggies in addition to my herbs. The catch is that, the way our yard is setup right now, container gardening is pretty much my only option. Also, given the fact that we will be moving at the end of next summer (2009), I don't want to invest too much energy in a garden we will only be leaving behind. So container gardening it is. I'm a hoping for some tomatoes (of course!) and maybe some beans, in addition to some thyme, basil, mint, parsley and maybe oregano. I went to my good friend Dava for some advice, which I will share because it is if you are a beginner like me, you will need a few tips:

• You can buy container tomatoes (ones that were developed specifically to be grown in containers!!!!) Cool huh!
• The thing with containers: keep them watered! They can dry out really fast; you may have to water 2 x a day, or move into shade if really hot and sunny. Tomatoes love sun and heat, but other things like lettuce bolt in heat and too much sun.
• Tomatoes get diseased really easy too, which can spread very fast in containers. Don't water leaves, as it makes for a lovely moist environment to grow the mildew and promote disease, then water droplets spread it. You should water at ground level. When you see the leaves turn yellow, immediately take them off and put them in garbage. Do not compost they or they will re-infect your plants later.
• Lettuce is a good fall crop.
• Bush beans, and pole beans up a trellis work well too.
• Don't be afraid to be creative!

Thank you Dava! Now, if I can get my hands on some extra containers and sort out the rainwater barrels we have been planning to get for this spring, I will be all set.

Bags, Bags, More Bags - Part Deux

You have to check out this great post by ecochick. Doesn't she rock?!

Bags, Bags, More Bags - Part Deux

You have to check out this great post by ecochick. Doesn't she rock?!

Bags, Bags, More Bags

Many stores in Ontario (and the rest of Canada!) have recently introduced cloth shopping bags to encourage their customers to use and reuse rather than collect plastic ones and then throw them away. A few steps in the right direction. The LCBO (Liquor Board Control of Ontario) has gone one step further (yay for them!) and are phasing out their plastic bags (which means that they are using up their current supply and not replenishing it). Very good news indeed - that will mean 80 million (yes!) bags less to end up in our landfills. Heartening. Now the only question that remains is, who's next? If the LCBO can do it, why not Loblaws, Sobey's, Loeb and company?

Bags, Bags, More Bags

Many stores in Ontario (and the rest of Canada!) have recently introduced cloth shopping bags to encourage their customers to use and reuse rather than collect plastic ones and then throw them away. A few steps in the right direction. The LCBO (Liquor Board Control of Ontario) has gone one step further (yay for them!) and are phasing out their plastic bags (which means that they are using up their current supply and not replenishing it). Very good news indeed - that will mean 80 million (yes!) bags less to end up in our landfills. Heartening. Now the only question that remains is, who's next? If the LCBO can do it, why not Loblaws, Sobey's, Loeb and company?

Partnership with Sustainable Ottawa

We're proud to announce our recent partnership with Sustainable Ottawa. They are a community energy co-operative, a group of citizens concerned about the environment, gathering together to exhange ideas and information on how to live more sustainably. With their membership (the cost is $40 for five years), members can benefit from discounts at a number of local eco-friendly businesses (yours truly now included!). We encourage you to check out their web site - it is super informative, and become a member!

Partnership with Sustainable Ottawa

We're proud to announce our recent partnership with Sustainable Ottawa. They are a community energy co-operative, a group of citizens concerned about the environment, gathering together to exhange ideas and information on how to live more sustainably. With their membership (the cost is $40 for five years), members can benefit from discounts at a number of local eco-friendly businesses (yours truly now included!). We encourage you to check out their web site - it is super informative, and become a member!

ecomama.ca on TV!

Check out Rogers (Cable 22) Daytime television tomorrow at noon! We are very excited about our ImagiPlay toys being featured on the show!!

We know we've been quiet on the blog lately, but we've been working diligently behind the scenes making sure we can respond to the huge increase in demand for Born Free products and also to bring you new lines. As of earlier this week, Soapworks soaps and the Green Beaver line were added to the site. Enjoy :)

We'll be back shortly, rested and inspired. And with maybe a sale or two to keep things interesting ;)

ecomama.ca on TV!

Check out Rogers (Cable 22) Daytime television tomorrow at noon! We are very excited about our ImagiPlay toys being featured on the show!!

We know we've been quiet on the blog lately, but we've been working diligently behind the scenes making sure we can respond to the huge increase in demand for Born Free products and also to bring you new lines. As of earlier this week, Soapworks soaps and the Green Beaver line were added to the site. Enjoy :)

We'll be back shortly, rested and inspired. And with maybe a sale or two to keep things interesting ;)

The Badgers are Here

No, we haven't adopted any new little furry friends (one big one is enough!) but we did receive our Badger sunscreen. Both SPF 15 and 30 as well as an SPF 15 lipbalm are now available online and in the kiosk.

The Badgers are Here

No, we haven't adopted any new little furry friends (one big one is enough!) but we did receive our Badger sunscreen. Both SPF 15 and 30 as well as an SPF 15 lipbalm are now available online and in the kiosk.